Uncle Fred's bicycle

On the inside cover of diaries Fred records his cyclometer reading. 1940: 'Cyclometer at beginning of year was 1,970.0.' At the start of 1941: 2050.2 (so just 80.2 miles); start of 1941: 2,284.8 (so 234.6 miles). Miles cycled in 1943: 1,134.5. He's cycled since 1907 - but records his first Sunday ride on 7 Sept 1941.

Local bombing

Daily WWII events

Visits to Uncle Fred's diaries

Fred's relative John Hodgkins

Click the cover to LOOK INSIDE and see a description of this Kindle book of letters to Fred's brother. Published on Amazon to complement this blog. "He used to like to come here to listen to my poor playing on the piano..."

Please e-mail me daily entry

Chestnut Road, 1910

Click photo for reverse side of this greetings postcard of No 65 sent to Fred's parents (at 66) from 'Opposite', Christmas, 1910. 65 was the home of the Conley family (who have contacted me - Tony). Twelve parallel roads prompted area name The Apostles.

Mother: Theresa Mary. Died 2nd Jan 1920, aged 56. Her grave is also the resting place of Fred's Dad, who died on 17 Dec 1947, aged 85.

Family & homes

In 1891 (census) Fred was 2 years old, living at 43 Gilbert Rd, Lambeth. His Dad,who was also Frederick J (engine driver & stoker) was 28 (born 14 Aug 1862). Fred's grandfather was Daniel William French. Mother: Theresa.

Fred's sister, Theresa A (Ciss) was 5, (born 1886).

Brother Albert was not yet born (1892).

In the same house, there is recorded his Dad's mother-in-law, Mary Ann Edwards, widow, needlewoman, aged 61 (born in Essex in 1830) - along with his Dad's sister-in-law, Agnes Martha Edwards, single, milliner, aged 23 (born in Marylebone in 1868).

In 1911 (census) the family already lived in '66 Chestnut Road, Merton, Surrey.' In 1901, London, Newington. Postcards went to 66 Chestnut Rd in 1905.

Garrod, Len, 25 Lampton Rd, Wimbledon SW20 (Policeman in 1941; working at aero factory in Mitcham by end of the year). His wife, Emily. (She sings, he plays cello.) Jack Garrod killed on active service in 1944.